♪ >> A year ago at this time, I would have never thought that I even have the strength to do what I'm doing now.

It's still not political.

To me.

It's just personal.

We sat down with the college student who's become an advocate.

We denied families ultimate power with freedom.

To decide how their children are educated.

The push to give parents and voters a voice when it comes to school choice.

Plus, lawmakers say welcome back.

One of their own.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Thursday, January 25th, I'm Renee Shaw, all coming to you from our ktb euro and the Capitol Annex in Frankfort for this live edition of Kentucky Edition.

Thank you so much for joining us.

The debate over a sweeping anti crime measure dominated floor action in Kentucky's House of Representatives for hours as they acted on what's called the Safer Kentucky Act House bill 5, it stiffens criminal penalties, lengthen sentences and adds a 3 strikes law for violent offenders.

Kentucky additions June Leffler has our lead story as we begin tonight's Legislative update.

>> The omnibus crime Bill House Bill 5 has been championed by Jefferson County Republicans for months.

And just today on the House floor as lawmakers adopted the student body.

I know we some burglaries robberies are sons and strangulation.

Time will now be considered violent, continue.

Attempting violence will also be considered a violent crime.

Offenders will not be released early if they carry a gun illegally during the crime.

It allows people to sleep in their cars for up to 12 hours while all other public camping is deemed illegal.

And the bill reduces a proposed penalty of murder to manslaughter.

For anyone that traffic's a drug that causes a fatal overdose.

The House floor debate was intense with several Democrats challenge and the sponsor on the measures cost up charges for additional and existing crimes and specific provisions impacting the homeless.

>> But the problem that the suffer Kentucky Act is trying to solve is not an increase in crime.

It's an increase in manufactured fear.

To reduce violent crime.

What would it take to create real solutions?

It would take looking at the perpetrators.

The root cause is evidence-based prevention and deterrence.

Where did these crimes take place when and why?

This bill rather than acknowledge the difficult work required to actually make Kentuckyian safer has one solution to a host of different problems, increase penalties, lock them up.

>> What is instead of spending millions upon millions of dollars that House Bill 5 will cost the state an increased incarceration.

We could focus on how to deter criminal behavior.

With House Bill 5.

We're increasing the punishments for criminal activities.

We're saying to the offenders, what is wrong with you?

Why won't even pay?

We're going to increase the penalties to get you to be.

Hey.

What if instead of saying what's wrong with you?

We say what happened to you?

Well, before the individual commits a violent crime.

Violent criminals are likely to have a long history of lower-level offenses.

Sometimes starting when they are juveniles.

What if we ensure that children involved in the juvenile justice system who have witnessed violence, who are who were victimized by violence, get the support they need before they escalate their criminal behavior for Republicans say now is the time for accountability.

And just and that it the status quo.

>> Right now, what we have is not okay.

There's a moral imperative for us to help and reach out.

There are 2 different approaches.

The slow approach erodes communities.

If it's too big.

This problem has to be tackled.

I celebrate the efforts that are being done in Lexington.

And I know a bill like this is critical for other parts of the state to rein in their issues.

>> A Lexington Democrat asked lawmakers to strike the anti public camping measure.

That amendment failed.

What's not known is how much the Safer Kentucky Act will actually cost the state creating the need for an updated fiscal impact statement for Kentucky edition of John Leffler.

>> Thank you.

June and amended House Bill 5 to say for Kentucky Act was approved by the full House on a vote of 74 to 22.

Some Republicans did vote against it.

It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

People in a mental health crisis would have gone is temporarily taken from them with a judge's approval.

If what's called the car Act becomes law.

Now car stands for crisis, aversion and rights retention during a rally today.

Senators Whitney Westerfield, a Republican and David Yates, a Democrat, said the bill is constitutionally sound and will not infringe on people's Second Amendment rights.

>> This isn't a gun grabbing bill.

This is a crisis diversion.

This has to do with people who are in a mental health crisis situation.

Going to.

Do harm to themselves or others do that.

>> Mass shooting survivor and activist Whitney Austin backs the car Act.

She's the creator of Whitney Strong.

It's a group working to end gun violence in Ohio and Kentucky by taking a non-partisan approach to gun violence.

She's the young woman who became a familiar face during the 2023 election.

And some say she was a big part of Governor Andy Beshear's eventual victory had leita of a college student who's become an advocate for abortion rights, spend some time with our Laura Rogers.

>> Abortion is completely banned in Kentucky with very limited exceptions.

A young woman who was sexually abused as a child by her stepfather, now advocating for legislation that would lessen restrictions on maternal health care, including abortion in certain circumstances.

Eileen Duval is your typical college student.

98 and the library grabbing snacks at the student Center at Midway on the student.

I'm here to learn.

It's because my friends.

>> Good to see.

Yeah.

Good to see you.

>> But what's not so typical appearing in a campaign, I was raped by my stepfather, sharing a very personal and traumatic story.

A child sexual abuse.

I was a cheerleader on the soccer player.

I was around people constantly.

>> And nobody KET it.

It happens.

It happens behind closed doors.

It's something that is hitting a lot more than people realize it.

>> I'm speaking out because women and girls need to have options.

>> Many say it was this ad that helped Democratic Governor Andy Beshear win reelection in a deeply red state.

Had somebody tell me she's never voted outside of her party.

And she said I voted Democrat for the first time in my life and she says because of you and native of Owensboro, Duval came to Midway University on a soccer scholarship.

I never thought college was in the books for me, especially not college athletics.

And I says continue to push forward.

She has defied the odds this spring.

She'll be the first person in her immediate family to graduate from college.

My mom was in active addiction for many years.

She was away.

I really have for over a year.

She was in prison and my dad has been in jail multiple times.

It is these life experiences that have inspired duvall's career plants upon graduation.

She plans to pursue a master's degree in social work.

I've always had an interest in victims rights in working with victims during their healing process.

That comes from her own personal story.

One she felt compelled to share publicly when the Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade.

>> I saw a lot of Facebook post social media post of people that I was close with.

No celebrating the overtime.

At the time when I did get pregnant, I didn't really know the concepts.

I didn't really understand.

I can grasp the reality of what was happening to me.

And there is a girl somewhere right now who cannot get asked that same reality.

But there is no options for her.

Duval.

This carry her pregnancy.

>> She says it is her perspective that abortion is not a quote, black and white issue.

When I hear abortion, I don't think for birth control.

I like if someone is right and they got pregnant, they would need one.

>> And that's always been an argument I've made.

>> Under Hadley's law, a bill filed by state Senator David Yates, a Democrat from Louisville.

There would be exceptions for cases of rape and incest, non viable pregnancies and to protect the health of the mother.

>> It's a very small step in the right direction.

It's not end.

All be all.

And it's not pro abortion.

It's not to push that abortion.

It's just to open up the space for that choice.

It's too allowed that woman to have the conversation with her medical doctor and not have to have it.

Just decided for.

>> Ball says she has felt the love and support of her college community.

This past October, she was crowned homecoming queen.

>> And it was just so heartwarming just to see know, like at that point, it was not about a political ad is not about.

>> Being a voice, it was not about anything else.

And he's being a college student in that moment.

>> Though she never set out to be a political or public figure.

She hopes to inspire other women to share their own stories and struggles.

I don't.

Love politics, but I don't.

>> Hey them as much as I thought I did.

>> Now, as for Hadley Duvall's future, she has plans to write a book.

She says she also wants to work with youth, especially children of the incarcerated and of those suffering substance abuse for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thank you so much, Laura.

The proposed hadley's law is formally known as Senate Bill.

99.

It was introduced on January 9th, but he's not been assigned to a committee yet for action.

Now to Kentucky, House Democrats have filed a Bill House Bill 3.76, to repeal the anti-transgender bill that passed last year.

The new bill is from Representatives, Sara Stalker and a drill camel.

It will repeal last year's Senate Bill.

One 50 entirely among other things.

Senate Bill, one 50 includes a ban on gender affirming medical care for trans youth and it prevents any school discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity with students of any age.

Representative Stalker says, quote, a law that strips children's health care decisions from parents trusted family doctors and mental health professionals represents a gross overreach from state government in quotes.

School choice supporters were at the Capitol this morning speaking out in favor of legislation that would amend the state constitution to allow taxpayer money to fund private school education.

Among those voicing their support for House Bill 208, students who said private schools help them succeed when public schools failed them.

>> When I say school use a choice school.

>> The Kentucky for to law.

We have to not families.

One of the most critical choices we did not families ultimate power, the freedom.

It to decide how their children are educated.

Because you may not be as financially secure as others does not mean you should not have the right >> to a quality education that will help you succeed in the future.

>> Started off as a refugee and time it.

And the world country.

And now I'm standing in front of you as a college graduate with a full time job.

And besides the education sources that have gotten me to where I am today.

>> When we look at the societal issues that we have.

Economic disparity.

You often hear the term that education.

It can be the great equalizer.

And that's true.

But unfortunately.

Not every family.

Not every child.

Has that equal opportunity.

>> A lot of children are mentally struggle because they're not being heard and they're being forced to the visit today with no opportunity to experience live our lives no choice to have a second to Bree.

No choice but to hold it all their feelings because they can't trust anyone at home or anyone in their school because this school exist.

It gives me it gives people like me a choice.

So you see that's not only power in the choice to switch schools but power to even have which leased to speak up to take a break.

Every good or bad choice holds power.

>> 9 states now it provided Universal choice.

They don't care where you go to school.

They don't care if you're going to go to religious schools.

Sectarian school.

>> Home school or whatever.

But 9 states have set.

It makes no difference to your family in tow.

It makes no different your house so you can choose whatever school you want.

That's what that choice Kentucky hopes will happen.

>> Representative Tipton, who you heard from of the story is the co-sponsor of House bill 208.

If the bill passes in both chambers, they would still have to be approved by Kentucky voters.

Speaking of voting, who can and cannot vote in Kentucky elections.

A new House bill would add language to the Kentucky Constitution to make sure the answer to that question is crystal clear.

Our Clayton Dalton has more on House Bill 3.41.

>> You may have learned in grade school.

The voting is an exclusive right of citizens, but some municipalities across the country have granted non citizens the right to vote in local elections.

Non-citizens included legal permanent residents as well as undocumented immigrants.

State Representative Michael Meredith, a Republican from Warren County is sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment to let Kentucky voters decide if not citizens should be able to cast ballots.

>> Under section one, 45 of the Constitution.

It is unclear whether the General Assembly or local governments could extend voting rights to non-citizens of the United States elections.

Here.

The first clause creates a floor on who must be allowed to vote in our elections, which are citizens of the of the United States have live within the state.

And the next 3 causes specifically exclude groups of people from the voting public.

Since noncitizens are not specifically excluded any of the language.

It is arguable that the General Assembly or >> local governments could allow non-citizens to vote in our elections.

>> State representative cut or a hair and a Democrat from Louisville expressed her hesitancy.

She said she wonders if this bill is necessary.

>> From the way I read the Constitution already says that non citizens cannot vote.

And so >> I guess my question is why do we need this?

And if it is geared specifically toward the local issues such as school boards.

Why would we just put that in statute instead of doing a constitutional change?

>> Local governments in California, New York and Maryland have all passed.

Bills are passed, charter amendments to their local charters that have allowed non-citizens to vote in local or school elections in those jurisdictions.

And those things have been upheld by other courts in their state because again, it doesn't set and specifically exclude noncitizens from voting.

It just says we have to allow citizens to vote in the constitution.

And so this just cleans up what I think probably would be considered a bit of a loophole in that issue.

And I think it is important because of election integrity for to be enshrined in the Constitution and not a statutory issue.

>> At least 5 states, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Ohio and Louisiana have amended their constitutions to explicitly prohibit noncitizens from voting House Bill 3.41.

Passed out of committee with 10 yes votes and to pass votes.

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration there.

If House Bill 3.41 passes both the House and the Senate, it would need to be approved by voters before becoming an amendment to Kentucky's constitution for Kentucky edition.

I'm Clayton Dalton.

Thank you so much, Clayton.

>> Now other legislative news, a bill that would reopen a road between the capital building where we are in the Capitol Annex, which has been closed due to a threat assessment, naming it as a potential security risk, made it out of the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday.

The legislation has been repeatedly championed by Senator John Schickel of northern Kentucky.

>> One of the things I've done is state senator is I have field trips for people from my district.

They would enjoy the Christmas tree.

The Christmas decorations in the winter could enjoy all these things without even getting out of their car.

As we talked about in the committee last year.

Threat assessment program did give alternatives.

And one of them was closing that road.

But there was also other alternatives that they suggest in closing several roads around the capital, including the road between the governor's mansion in the the road on the other shot and putting in checkpoints.

I think those are good, reasonable suggestions.

Do you know at or close a road?

That is so vital to the public?

And their understanding of how our state government works.

I think it's a big mistake.

If there's a reason to close that road, my bill provides for that and it can be done very quickly.

>> However, Kentucky State Police Police Commissioner Philip Burnett is against reopening the road.

The state police provide security to the Capitol grounds.

>> In a 2001 after a man, 11 Secret Service that do an assessment.

These grounds and one of the recommendations was the closure of the roadway.

But when this annex building an and the reason for that is because acessible to wear.

If they were to have the opportunity, someone to have some sort of deal intent that they could drive a vehicle.

Loaded with explosives right up near one of these buildings.

And that night, another survey.

That was down.

By federal Homeland Security, a security and resilience report that was conducted in June of 2021.

It also on top of the Secret Service.

Security assessment.

Recommended closure that roadway and a style barriers bollards, those type things to be able to limit vehicle and between that roadway.

>> Barnett also noted that the space between the capital and the annex as often used for protests and counter protests which also require additional security Senate bill, 75 will now be discussed and voted on in the state.

Senator in the Senate.

But a state senator is back at work and we're glad about it.

Weeks after being kicked in the face by a horse.

>> And we're really glad to have a >> indeed, and amaze Bledsoe was caring for horse when it kicked her in the face.

She had emergency surgery and missed the first few weeks of the legislative session.

But she is back and she says she has a long road ahead of her to a full recovery.

And she's grateful to all the people who reached out to her Senator Bledsoe represent Kentucky's 12, the state Senate district, which is made up of Boyle, Mercer and Woodford counties and part of Fayette counties.

Russell Coleman, Kentucky's new attorney general has been on the job a little less than a month.

>> I sat down with General Coleman for taping of connections that will air this Sunday.

We talked about many of the issues he wants to address is Kentucky's top cop among them.

Kentucky's ongoing drug crisis.

>> What is your direction when it comes to dealing with the drug scourge in Kentucky?

>> Well, there's a lot we could spent 30 minutes talking about just that on on big game Not only its powerful anecdotal evidence.

It's it is.

It is really what the impact has been on some of the patients we're looking at all options on the commission.

So the previous commissioner, executive director, the commission was a strong proponent of out again at the current commissioner.

I'm very pleased to say someone is looking at all options.

He's an absolute superstar.

Chris Evans, DEA agent.

>> 9 th.

And this is someone that worked his way up to be the administrator of the DEA that ran the organization across the globe.

But the purpose of that commission has directed by the General Assembly is to mitigate to the degree we can approximately 40444 50 million dollars.

Half of the settlement money.

Take that and make victims whole to try to make communities hole.

And as much as I'm a prosecutor, I've been a law enforcement officer.

Chris Evans spent his career.

The DEA carried a badge and a gun.

We both are in alignment that you have to have, of course, a strong enforcement piece.

You have to have a strong treatment peace.

The great work of our can actually having sufficient beds to treat this scourge.

But what we're short shrift in, it's the prevention front.

You have to have prevention enforcement and treatment and we don't we don't do prevention at a statewide level.

>> So you heard the term ibogaine.

We'll explain that in full when you watch the full interview with Attorney General Russel Coleman on connections this coming Sunday, 11:30AM, in the morning.

10, 30 central right here on KET.

♪ >> Firm fined for happenings to other news around the state.

There's good economic news tonight for Allen County.

That's along the Kentucky Tennessee border.

That will Mark Incorporated will open a plant there.

That will mean 159 jobs.

Belmar makes labels packaging and cartons.

The company will spend 99 million dollars on 156,000 square-foot plant.

Construction is expected to start in June of 2025 and end June 2026.

Kentucky has fallen behind Florida and the big Blue Slam with just one day to go.

That's more in tonight's look at medical news.

After yesterday, Florida was ahead 7788 to 7.81.

So it's still very close.

Kentucky.

>> The competing blood drive ends tomorrow.

Kentucky Blood Center needs blood after donation slipped during last week's cold and snow.

>> So good is and you'll be eligible to win tickets to the Kentucky Florida basketball game on January 31st.

So let's go Big Blue.

♪ >> The PGA Tour event is returning to Kentucky this summer previously known as the Barbasol Championship.

The Kentucky championship will host players from the PGA Tour and the European DP World Tour at Keene, Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville.

Here's more.

>> I couldn't turn.

First came.

It you know, the bright lights of the stars are on.

The rise of the big show is coming to the club.

We've learned a lot since still carry the same level of excitement to get to host the best players in the world.

But it's nice to come in 5 or 6 years later and kind of know what to expect to know what it looks like from a club operation.

there's only so many PGA Tour in the world every year.

And so to have one of 50 events right here in Central Kentucky, right in our own backyard.

He's a really big deal.

So there are other events that are played around the country.

But the Barbasol started out in Alabama and eventually move to Kentucky, you know, in in the grand scheme of the golf world, a special professional golf, a lot of the tension gets put on the top 10 players in the top.

25 players and that's where a lot of the media gets and what a lot of fun to opposite events like we have here at Kentucky Championship.

Are you see these guys that are up and coming they are the in the past about such a ship has been the produce, an major stars that are going on to win other events.

And so you're seeing their names pop up in big lots throughout the rest of the year.

There will be 156 total players competing in the Kentucky championship this year.

50 of those players are coming from the DP World Tour.

you have 100 and folks from here in the United States.

Another the best golfers in the world coming here to play.

>> The tournament runs from July.

11th through the 14th the Wednesday before the event families can meet the players and take pictures.

That'll do it for us.

For Kentucky Edition, we hope to see you right back here again tomorrow as we wrap up this weekend, Frankfort, I'm Renee Shaw.

See you tomorrow night.

Take good care.

♪